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Exelon chief lobbyist given “final warning” on conduct

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Illinois

* Steve Daniels at Crain’s…

Against a backdrop of sexual and workplace harassment in the state capital, one of Illinois’ most politically potent corporations is grappling with a #MeToo moment of its own.

According to internal documents obtained by Crain’s, Chicago-based Exelon determined that David Fein, the company’s senior vice president in charge of state government relations and its most visible executive in Springfield, violated its code of conduct in his interactions with several women at the company. The documents were prepared for separate human resources meetings in May, one with Fein and another with one woman who had complained about his behavior. Crain’s obtained the documents after they were inadvertently distributed electronically to multiple company employees. […]

Fein, 52, is Exelon’s primary senior-executive voice in Springfield and these days is arguing for legislation that would funnel more ratepayer money to Illinois nuclear plants that are struggling financially amid low wholesale power prices. The company has said in Securities & Exchange Commission filings that three power stations—Dresden in Morris, Byron near Rockford and Braidwood in Braceville—are at risk of early closure within the next four years if financial conditions don’t improve or the state doesn’t bail them out. […]

The document called this Fein’s “final warning” and informed him he could be fired for cause if he took a chance that any future overtures would be “welcome.”

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:19 pm

Comments

The line that cracked me up…

“Crain’s obtained the documents after they were inadvertently distributed electronically to multiple company employees.”

Yeah, right. It was just an “accident.”

Comment by Lake County Mom Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:28 pm
It’s one thing to be on double secret probation and quite another for the whole world to learn why you’re on double secret probation. I suspect his position at Exelon is no longer tenable.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:33 pm
Likely that Exelon will rush a more diverse and “woke” looking lobbying crew to browbeat the ILGA into keeping their decades-old, multi-paid off, obsolete nukes on the dole because they’re “carbon free”, which, btw, they’re not, not even during generation.

Comment by VerySmallRocks Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:40 pm
I can think of several members with whom this would only make him more popular

Comment by PJ Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:45 pm
So this guy is in charge of exelon (& comed?) having 2 dozen lobbyists?

Comment by Baba Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:48 pm
“violated its code of conduct in his interactions with several women at the company”

Why does gross misconduct of this nature always seem to merit one more chance for the malefactors?

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:54 pm
The sexual harassment stuff is bad enough (it is a PUBLIC utility) and then all of the bailout stuff on top. Just a poorly run operation.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 3:56 pm
please detail just whom is giving him another chance. ridiculous.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 4:09 pm
SExelon! Who knew?

Comment by Working night and day... Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 4:10 pm
“We have not held a second interview with you to ask you to respond to these additional allegations, given the sincere and remorseful manner in which you responded in your original interview,” the document says.

That seems like it could be problematic for Fein and the company.

Even more people came forward with allegations, but we have no further questions?

Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 4:13 pm
If you are in Exelon’s public relations department and have kids you would like to see over the next few years, now might be a good time to find another place of employment.

Comment by Bertrum Cates Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 4:15 pm
I’ll go glass half-full on this. HR was taking progressive action against a high level executive in the organization. Historically, a leak along these lines would have been about issues being swept under the rug or ignored. Full glass would have been termination, but in the past we’d have had an empty glass of complaints ignored or swept under the rug. I think I need a drink. It’s been a long week.

Comment by Earnest Friday, Aug 23, 19 @ 4:17 pm